Recently, the idea that Marc-André ter Stegen will stop being the first captain of FC Barcelona has been gaining unusual strength. The reason? The attitude that the German goalkeeper is adopting, one of the legends of the institution as far as goalkeepers are concerned, but who is currently experiencing a turbulent situation at the club, to the point that he seems to be at 'war' with the entity over how his possible departure and other tense episodes that have arisen in recent times have been managed.
The last of these, apparently, the statement published by Marc-André ter Stegen to announce the surgery he had to undergo for his back injury, did not sit well with FC Barcelona. One of the reasons would be that, in his words, the German was unusually specific regarding the estimated time off: three months.
A specification that many interpreted as a dart to dispel any idea that, taking advantage of his possible long-term injury (four months or more), Barcelona could invoke article 77 of the Regulations for the Preparation of Budgets of LaLiga to use 80% of its released salary mass and thus register Joan García.
Would the fans also support the change of captain?
Now, this possible decision - which, according to some sources, would have the consensus of both the club and the coaching staff - would not only be supported by the board, but also by the Barça fans. In various surveys, such as the one in SPORT, at least 88% of those surveyed were in favor of removing the captaincy from the German, who has only been acting as first captain of the top culé category for one season.
Who would enter the group of captains of Barcelona?
In the midst of all this maelstrom, and in the event that it is decided to remove the captaincy from MATS - which would represent a very clear declaration of intent about his new role in the club - a big question arises: who should join the group of Barça captains?
This decision, based on what happened last season, will once again fall on the squad. The group of captains for the 2024/25 season, made up of the German, Ronald Araujo, Frenkie de Jong, Raphinha and Pedri González, was selected through an internal vote by the players themselves in the dressing room, who chose that hierarchical order.
So, understanding that the only quota that would change would be that of Ter Stegen, with Araujo (2nd), De Jong (3rd), Pedri González (4th) and Raphinha (5th) retaining their role as captains, one more name would have to be chosen. For that position, some candidates are already emerging. In principle, two names with great experience, leadership and a relevant sporting impact could start as favorites: Iñigo Martínez and Robert Lewandowski.
However, it is not ruled out that another player may enter, given that it is an internal vote without a specific criterion as occurs in other clubs, where the order of captains is determined by seniority or years in the institution, among other parameters.
Will there be a new order in the captaincy of the azulgrana club?
Now, if the inclusion of a new captain in replacement of Ter Stegen is finally confirmed, the big question would be: who will be the first captain of FC Barcelona now? Will only one position rotate and Araujo will be first, De Jong second, Pedri third, Raphinha fourth and the new entry fifth? Or will there be a complete restructuring of the order of captaincies?
Time will tell. But, to begin with, it is still a most striking issue.